Based at the University of California, Berkeley, the GGSC is unique in its commitment to both science and practice: not only do we sponsor groundbreaking scientific research into social and emotional well-being, we help people apply this research to their personal and professional lives. Since 2001, we have been at the fore of a new scientific movement to explore the roots of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior—the science of a meaningful life. And we have been without peer in our award-winning efforts to translate and disseminate this science to the public.
We have pursued this mission through the following core activities:
Fellowship Program Fellowships to UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students are the foundation of the Center’s scientific initiatives. The GGSC’s fellowship program supports scholars whose work relates to our mission, from across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. Previous GGSC fellows have gone on to top research and teaching positions at universities nationwide, providing a significant boost to the science of compassion, resilience, altruism, and happiness.
Greater Good the online magazine of the GGSC—the cornerstone of this website and the Center’s efforts to disseminate cutting-edge science. Greater Goodfuses in-depth, practical reporting on the science of a meaningful life with inspiring stories of compassion in action. In the process, it provides a bridge between social scientists and parents, educators, community leaders, and policy makers.
The Raising Happiness Blog created by Christine Carter, Ph.D., the director of the GGSC’s Greater Good Parents program. In her award-winning, one-of-a-kind blog (formerly named Half Full), Carter offers science-based tips for more joyful kids and happier parents. She combines her work as a sociologist and happiness expert with her experiences as a mother, producing a rich, humorous, and credible guide to raising kids in the 21st century.
Events GGSC events bring together leading scientists, educators, and members of the public to discuss concrete strategies for promoting the greater good. Most recently, our Science of a Meaningful Life seminar series has included presentations by luminaries like Paul Ekman, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Barbara Fredrickson, and Philip Zimbardo. Previous GGSC events have featured talks by distinguished figures such as Jonathan Kozol, Arlie Hochschild, and Robert Reich.
Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude In collaboration with the University of California, Davis, we are pleased to announce a new, three-year project, “Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude,” supported with funding from the John Templeton Foundation. The goals of this initiative are to expand the scientific database of gratitude and promote evidence-based practices of gratitude in schools, workplaces, homes, and communities. To achieve these goals, we are launching a range of research and educational initiatives, from a research grant competition to a large public event to a mobile app competition.
